Lawrence: Rams off to the races in debut

St. Mary’s, which opened at home on Saturday night with all of the glory of a defending section and Northern California champion, looked like familiar laundry and not much else for the first quarter.

Especially on offense, which lacked rhythm or the explosiveness that partially defined 2016's champions.

Until track whizzes Joseph Fontes and Jamar Marshall gave 2017 its first Sanguinetti Field highlights.

The hosts and visiting San Mateo-Sierra – yes, the same Serra that calls Tom Brady an alumnus – seemed slow and cautious and were scoreless early in the second quarter. But once St. Mary’s tailback Dusty Frampton, he of 2,345 rushing yards in 2016, punched in a 1-yard touchdown, it was as if the Rams’ young roster exhaled.

Fontes, who qualified for the CIF State track and field meet in the 100-yard dash in June, caught a 56-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Noah May. Fontes wove from the right side of the field to the left sideline, finishing with flair as he dove and hit the pylon.

After a fumble recovery, May found Marshall for a short pass, and Marshall, also a star basketball player in the making, delivered a Madden-esque spin move that earned an organic “ahhh” from the St. Mary’s student section.

Just like Fontes', Marshall's touchdown was from 56 yards.

Once Marshall had an inch of space, he ran for miles, and soon enough St. Mary’s was ahead 24-0 and cruising. The Rams led 34-0 in the second half before the Padres got a couple back. But no matter, St. Mary's won 41-13, and has averaged 52 points per game against Serra in their past two season-openers.

Yes, it seems for the program with three section titles, and 14 wins in 2016, there is no time for a stopgap season after losing 31 seniors. St. Mary’s is too well-coached, has too much talent from all over the region, and has too many sound resources in place to stumble in-between section finals runs.

It should not only frighten the Tri-City Athletic League, but powerhouse teams across Northern California, that May will still be slinging the ball around in 2019. He not only has senior Marcus Aponte – my No. 1-ranked player on the Top 50 Football Returner Rankings – to throw to, but the ultra-quick Fontes, Marshall, Tre Jenkins III and Dumaurier Cotton.

Yes, Dumaurier is the younger brother of Dewey Cotton, a two-time, first-team All-Area selection who’s now a member of Sacramento State.

Cotton the younger showed off his wheels early on, tracking down a punt from May and snagging it at the Serra 1-yard line.

After a sluggish first quarter, and an electric second, the Rams’ opening night stress could dissipate.

Saturday in Stockton was muggy and hot into the early evening. That could’ve played a part in a so-so turnout in the home stands. It also could’ve been, as I overheard from someone on the Rams' sideline, that the McGregor-Mayweather fight kept some people home in front of their TVs and air conditioners.

St. Mary’s wasn’t fazed, as the Green Machine student section, bravely wearing black in the uncomfortable heat, was as loud and boisterous as ever.

May showed composure early and often, tapping his own chest to take responsibility for throwing a poor pass, taking a gnarly sack from Serra like a champ and displaying the courage to make difficult third-down throws.

St. Mary’s sideline was quieter than years past – when quarterback Jake Dunnway and lineman Cole Norgaard were the voices of the team – but that’s common with inexperienced groups. The Rams were oddly quiet during the section semifinals in November 2015, and that precocious team nearly stunned Folsom, so volume isn’t everything.

St. Mary’s beating Serra is simply the first step in what’s developed into a rigorous preseason annually. Next week, it’s Santa Rosa-Cardinal Newman on the road. Then, it’s “Holy Bowl” rival Modesto-Central Catholic at home. After that, it’s perennial playoff team Elk Grove-Cosumnes Oaks on the road.

Then, to close nonleague play, St. Mary’s faces preseason USA No. 1 Santa Ana-Mater Dei at the San Francisco 49ers’ Levi’s Stadium. That’s one heck of a test for a bunch with all new starting offensive linemen, an underclassman at starting quarterback and the expectations of being the area's top-ranked team.

But the first test? The Rams were just fine. And the track gurus Fontes and Marshall proved once again that you can’t coach speed, but you can always use it.

Contact reporter Thomas Lawrence at (209) 546-8272 or tlawrence@recordnet.com. Follow him at recordnet.com/sportsblog and on Twitter @RecordPreps